Traditional music and dance
The cultural roots of Andorra are best explored through the traditional and folk music of the Principality. Although related to the music of neighbouring France and Spain, the local musical tradition has a strong Catalan accent. This is reflected in folk dances such as the contrapàs and marratxa, which are very present in Sant Julià de Lòria, Andorra la Vella and Escaldes-Engordany. The contrapàs is symbolic of this Catalan heritage and is performed exclusively by men in a long chain. Gradually falling into disuse, this dance is now often replaced by the sardana. It is worth noting that except in Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste where it is still danced in the purest tradition - that is to say only by men - the contrapàs is evolving with the times and customs to include more and more women. The other most frequent dance, the marratxa, is a testimony to patriotic sentiment. It sees dancers (one man and three women) holding hands, some raising their arms to form an arch while others pass underneath. When the dance is over, the participants form a single circle. As with the Catalan sardana, this music is played by coblas, the typical Catalan instrumental ensembles consisting of flaviol (small recorder), tamborí (tambourine), tible and tenora (oboes), trompeta (trumpet), trombó (trombone), fiscorn (brass valves) and contrabaix (three-stringed double bass). Not a festa major goes by without the Esbarts dansaires (folk groups) donning traditional costumes and proudly performing these traditional dances. One of the best known is the <a href="etbspf_id:733241" title="FESTA MAJOR D'ANDORRE-LA-VIEILLE">Festa Major d'Andorra-La-Vieille</a>, held every first Saturday in August on the occasion of the patron saint's day. There are great folk dances, concerts, competitions and other events of all kinds that punctuate the heart of the summer. In another genre, but just as traditional, the<a href="etbspf_id:733192" title="FÊTE DES CHALUMEAUX"> Fête des Chalumeaux</a> provides the opportunity to attend concerts of "chalumeaux", the traditional Catalan flute.
Classical music
Although this small piece of land has not left its mark on the history of classical music, it can nevertheless count on two musician brothers to shine internationally: Lluis Claret (1951) - a great cellist who has played with prestigious orchestras (the Moscow Philharmonic, the French National Orchestra, the English Chamber Orchestra...) - and above all Gerard Claret (1951). The latter, a violinist, has devoted his entire career to chamber music and has distinguished himself as an interpreter of Bach, Beethoven and Mendelssohn. Since 1993, he has been the director of the National Chamber Orchestra of Andorra, which, together with the National Choir of Andorran Singers, is a major player in the musical life of the country. The orchestra resides and performs at theNational Auditorium of Andorra, located in Ordino. Inaugurated in September 1991, this building designed by the prestigious Spanish architect Juan Garcia de Paredes hosts an interesting international music festival (Ordino Clàssic) every year in September and October. It is also the venue for the Narciso Yepes International Classical Guitar Festival, one of the most important competitions in the Principality
